DAYTON, Texas – Six-year-old Cody started having problems last year in kindergarten. Now a first grader, his mom said he is dealing with the same things all over again.
"He was coming home coughing, upper respiratory infections, in and out of the emergency room," said his mother, Jennifer Purviance. "He was put on inhalers, antibiotics, steroids and breathing treatments."
Upsetting news for this mom who says her son has always been healthy. Cody would stay home for a few days and get better, she said, then return to school and the symptoms would start up again.
"He'd be home for Thanksgiving break, Christmas break and would be 100 percent back to normal," said Purviance. "Send him back to school and three days in it is back."
Purviance told Local 2 she thinks school is making her son sick. Talking with other parents in the area she realized they were having the same concerns and all of their kids attend Stephen F. Austin Elementary in Dayton.
"My son is not sick when he's at home," Purviance said.
Donald Britt's son, Bradley, has been sick, too. The Britts said they took their daughter out of Stephen F. Austin and began to homeschool her after she was hospitalized three times in kindergarten.
"Everything just seems to point towards mold," Britt said.
"The school is over 50 years old. It's been flooded, it's been damaged. It's the school," Purviance said.
Dayton ISD admits they have done air quality testing on the campus but said in a statement they're still waiting for the final written report.
"Upon the request of a parent, Dayton ISD conducted air quality tests inside and outside of the Stephen F. Austin Elementary campus last week. The testing was done by an outside environmental consulting agency," said Stacey Gatlin, with Dayton ISD Communications. "The district continues to take proactive measures, however, DISD is still waiting for the final written report. The district's first priority is always the safety and security of our students and staff."
Parents said they want action now. They're suggesting alternative, temporary buildings until they know for sure the school is safe.
"As a mother it's our job to take care of these kids and they're making them sick," Purviance said. "I want it to stop for all the kids."